A Fractured Empire and the Struggle for Sichuan

The late Tang Dynasty (618-907) witnessed the gradual disintegration of central authority as regional military governors carved out semi-independent domains. In this turbulent period, Sichuan (then called Xichuan) emerged as a particularly contested region due to its natural defenses and agricultural wealth. The strategic importance of this “Land of Abundance” made it a prize sought by ambitious warlords during the dynasty’s final decades.

At the heart of our story lies the complex relationship between three key figures: Chen Jingxuan, the sitting military governor of Xichuan; Tian Lingzi, the powerful eunuch who had dominated court politics during Emperor Xizong’s reign; and Wang Jian, a rising military commander whose ambitions would reshape the region’s destiny. Their triangular conflict unfolded against the backdrop of an empire in terminal decline, where personal loyalties often outweighed institutional allegiances.

The Gathering Storm: Alliances and Betrayals

The crisis began when Chen Jingxuan grew alarmed by Wang Jian’s growing friendship with Gu Yanlang, the military governor of neighboring Dongchuan. Fearing their combined forces might threaten his position, Chen conspired with Tian Lingzi to neutralize the threat. Tian, who had once adopted Wang Jian as his “godson” during better times, confidently assured Chen that he could bring Wang Jian under control with a simple letter.

Tian’s missive played on Wang Jian’s ambitions: “The Central Plains are in turmoil, only the three Shu regions (Sichuan) can provide security. Lord Chen is magnanimous and without suspicion. If we join him in great endeavors, with us father and son assisting, nothing will be impossible.” The carefully crafted appeal struck a chord with Wang Jian, who saw his opportunity to enter Sichuan proper.

Wang Jian’s subsequent actions revealed his political acumen. Before marching westward, he visited Gu Yanlang in Zizhou, presenting himself as a humble subordinate merely responding to Tian Lingzi’s summons: “The Ten Armies’ foster father has summoned me, so I must go see him. When I meet Grand Preceptor Chen, I’ll just ask for a large prefecture – if granted, my personal wishes will be satisfied!” This calculated display of modesty, combined with leaving his family in Zizhou as hostages, temporarily allayed Gu’s suspicions.

The Battle for Luotou Pass: Point of No Return

Wang Jian’s advance reached its first major obstacle at Luotou Pass (modern Deer Head Mountain near Deyang), the traditional gateway to Chengdu. This strategic location had witnessed decisive battles throughout Sichuan’s history – from Liu Pi’s rebellion to Gao Chongwen’s victory – and now became the flashpoint for this new conflict.

When Xichuan advisor Li Xuan warned that “Wang Jian is a fierce tiger who will never be content under another’s command,” Chen Jingxuan belatedly reinforced the pass and barred Wang Jian’s entry. This rejection proved a fatal miscalculation. Enraged, Wang Jian stormed the pass, marking the irreversible beginning of his campaign to conquer Xichuan.

Wang Jian’s military prowess quickly became apparent. His elite “Personal Cavalry Army,” described in contemporary records as “strictly disciplined and invincible wherever they went,” formed the core of a formidable fighting force. The Beimeng Suoyan chronicle preserves vivid details of these purple banner-bearing troops whose mere deployment could reverse battlefield fortunes.

The Siege of Chengdu: A City Under Siege

As Wang Jian’s forces advanced toward the provincial capital, they achieved successive victories at Mianzhu, Xueshe Mountain, and Deyang. By late 887, they stood before Chengdu’s massive walls – the “Great Mystery City” expanded by former governor Gao Pian to encompass 25 li (about 8 miles) in circumference.

The ensuing siege revealed the complex personal dynamics between the protagonists. When Tian Lingzi mounted the Great Mystery Tower to negotiate, Wang Jian staged an emotional performance below Qingyuan Bridge. Ordering his commanders to cut their hair knots in a ritual display of severance, he tearfully declared: “From now on I have no way back! I take leave of my foster father to become a bandit!” This theatrical gesture simultaneously acknowledged Tian’s past patronage while signaling his determination to press forward.

Inside Chengdu, conditions deteriorated catastrophically. By 891, famine reduced residents to cannibalism, with grain prices skyrocketing to 2,000 cash per peck. Contemporary accounts describe streets littered with corpses and abandoned infants, while the government resorted to brutal executions – including waist-cutting and diagonal bisection – to maintain order. The once-prosperous “Brocade City,” celebrated by poets like Li Bai and Du Fu, had become a dystopian nightmare.

Political Maneuvering and the Fall of Chen Jingxuan

The conflict’s political dimensions intensified as the Tang court attempted mediation. Emperor Zhaozong, who harbored deep resentment against Tian Lingzi for past humiliations, initially supported Wang Jian by appointing him Yongping military governor in 888. However, by 891, court priorities shifted following disastrous campaigns against northern warlords like Li Keyong.

When an imperial edict unexpectedly ordered Wang Jian to withdraw, he faced a critical decision. Following advisor Zhou Xiang’s counsel, Wang Jian engineered the departure of imperial overseer Wei Zhaodu through intimidation, then consolidated control over the remaining forces. His subsequent capture of Chengdu in late 891 marked the culmination of a three-year campaign.

Wang Jian’s entry into Chengdu demonstrated his transition from conqueror to ruler. Appointing the ruthless Zhang Qing as discipline officer, he prevented large-scale looting despite earlier promises to his troops. The new regime systematically eliminated potential rivals – Chen Jingxuan was exiled then executed, while Tian Lingzi died imprisoned in 893, reportedly from starvation.

Legacy: Foundations of the Former Shu Kingdom

Wang Jian’s conquest of Xichuan established the territorial base for what would become the Former Shu kingdom (907-925), one of the more stable regimes during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. His administration skillfully incorporated local elites like the wealthy Deng Yuanming, whose financial support proved crucial during the campaign.

The campaign’s historical significance lies in its demonstration of late Tang power dynamics: the collapse of central authority, the rise of military governors, and the shifting alliances that characterized this transitional era. Wang Jian’s success stemmed from his military prowess, political cunning, and ability to present himself as a stabilizing force amid chaos – qualities that would define his quarter-century rule over Sichuan.

Archaeological evidence, including artifacts from Wang Jian’s Yongling tomb, continues to shed light on this formative period in Sichuan’s history. The region’s subsequent cultural and economic development under Wang Jian’s regime owed much to the strategic decisions made during these pivotal years of conquest and consolidation.